Preparing for a Flood

Rain clouds have been obscuring our sunshine in Lexington and West Columbia for awhile now, but in Florida they have been dealing with a few more problems than a missed chance at a tan.

Floods have been upending the lives of many Floridians.



Though damage is unavoidable in flood situations there are some steps you can take to help avoid as much damage as possible to your home or business.

Before the Flood:

- Have a qualified professional elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel if susceptible to flooding.
-Install "check valves" in sewer traps to prevent flood water from backing up into the drains of your home or business.
-Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to help avoid seepage.

During the Flood:

-Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so.
-Disconnect electrical appliances.
-Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or are standing in water.
-Do not walk through moving water. Even six inches of moving water can make you fall.

After the Flood:

-Listen for news reports to learn if the community's water supply is safe to drink.
-Avoid floodwaters. Water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged.
-Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
-Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.

Having flood damage in your home or business can be a difficult situation to deal with, but remember, your Servpro of Cayce/West Columbia/Lexington is here to help you 24/7. Call (803) 755-9774. We make it 'Like it never even happened.'

- Heather Hinson

Photo Credit: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/slideshow/ALeqM5gjeTaUfjsay1q40vd1GM-iQ9i1lg?docId=a9609d43eaec4c469d40324e3a68f755&index=12

Hurricane Preparedne​ss Week

Are you prepared for a hurricane? What would you do? These are questions that you should have answers to because hurricane season is fastly approaching. This week is Hurricane Preparedne​ss Week and we will give you safety tips on what to do in case of an emergency!

Two keys to weather safety are to prepare for the risks and to act on those preparations when alerted by emergency officials. These are essential pieces to the Weather-Ready Nation.

Refer to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) ready.gov/hurricanes for comprehensive information on hurricane preparedness at home and in your community.

Gather Information-

Know if you live in an evacuation area. Assess your risks and know your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind. Understand National Weather Service forecast products and especially the meaning of NWS watches and warnings.

Contact your local National Weather Service office and local government/emergency management office. Find out what type of emergencies could occur and how you should respond.

Contacts

Keep a list of contact information for reference:
Local Emergency Management Office

• County Law Enforcement
• County Public Safety Fire/Rescue
• State, County and City/Town Government
• Local Hospitals
• Local Utilities
• Local American Red Cross
• Local TV Stations
• Local Radio Stations
• Your Property Insurance Agent

Plan & Take Action

Everyone needs to be prepared for the unexpected. Your friends and family may not be together when disaster strikes. How will you find each other? Will you know if your children or parents are safe? You may have to evacuate or be confined to your home. What will you do if water, gas, electricity or phone services are shut off?

Supplies Kit

Put together a basic disaster supplies kit and consider storage locations for different situations. Help community members do the same.

Emergency Plans

Develop and document plans for your specific risks.

• Protect yourself and family with a Family Emergency Plan - [PDF] [Google Docs]
• Be sure to plan for locations away from home
• Business owners and site locations should create Workplace Plans
• Make sure schools and daycares have School Emergency Plans
• Pet owners should have plans to care for their animals. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention offer information on animal health impacts in evacuation shelters.
• Prepare your boat and be aware of marine safety if you are on or near the water.

 

Evacuation

• Review the FEMA Evacuation Guidelines to allow for enough time to pack and inform friends and family if you need to leave your home. FOLLOW instructions issued by local officials. Leave immediately if ordered!
• Consider your protection options to decide whether to stay or evacuate your home if you are not ordered to evacuate.

When waiting out a storm be careful, the danger may not be over yet...

Be alert for:

• Tornadoes – they are often spawned by hurricanes.
• The calm "eye" of the storm – it may seem like the storm is over, but after the eye passes, the winds will change direction and quickly return to hurricane force.

Recover

• Wait until an area is declared safe before returning home.
• Remember that recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process.

Resources

• FEMA - Are You Ready? Guide
• National Weather Service Weather Safety
• Be a Force of Nature with NOAA's Weather-Ready Nation
• NWS Storm-Ready Sites & Communities
• Ready.gov Kids
• American Red Cross

Content Credit: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php

-Denea Duran

Keep Your Home Safe!

Since the severe weather has made an appearance across the country, it's only right if I give you Awesome Tips on keeping your home and business safe!



Tips for Preparing Your Home for Winter Weather

• Keep cabinet doors open during cold spells. This allows warm air to circulate around pipes


• Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets, especially if the pipes for faucets, especially if the pipes for faucets run through unheated or uninsulated areas of your home.


• Consider shutting off outdoor faucets. Find the shut-off valve in the basement or crawl space and turn it to "off".


• If you follow the previous step, then open the outdoor faucet to help ensure it drains completely and the inner valve is shut off.


• Ensure gutters are clean and secure. Leaves and debris accumulate, causing a damming effect on gutters, which could lead to roof problems and water damage.


• Proper maintenance of your furnace can help reduce the risk of puffbacks.

Tips for Preparing Your Business for Winter Weather

• Check your business property for downed tree limbs and branches. Weather such as wind, heavy rain, ice and snow, can cause branches to fall, which could cause damage to the property and potentially cause personal injuries.


• Inspect property, especially walkways and parking lots, for proper drainage to alleviate flood hazard potential.


• Inspect all handrails, stairwells and entryways to address and correct potential slippery or hazardous areas. Install mats or non-slip surfaces and post caution signs where water could be present.


• Ask SERVPRO of Cayce/West Columbia/ Lexington about starting a FREE Emergency Ready Profile for your business.  Call us! 803-755-9774

-Denea Duran

Content Credit: www.wallcoo.net

We're ready for whatever happens. Are you?

The best way to handle an emergency is to be ready before it happens. In no way does this require a worrisome worst-case-scenario mindset, but simply a few steps of preparation.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the case of a serious emergency, you may be in a situation requiring you to survive on your own. It may be a few hours or even days until help arrives. This is why it is imperative to keep an emergency kit on hand in case of such an emergency. Here are some suggestions for what to keep in your kit:

1. Water – You want enough for three days. Be sure to allow a gallon per person per day.


2. Food – At least a three-day supply of nonperishable food.


3. Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert – Be sure to have extra batteries for both.


4. Flashlight and extra batteries


5. First aid kit


6. Whistle – This is valuable for signaling for help.


7. Dust mask – This helps filter contaminated air.


8. Moist toilettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.


9. Wrench and pliers to turn off utilities.


10. Can opener – This is only necessary if you have canned food in your food supply.


11. Local maps


12. Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger


13. Waterproof matches

*Photo courtesy of http://www.presentationmagazine.com/newimages/be-prepared-510.jpg